Tameside Joins Together for Armed Forces Day

HUNDREDS of people from across Tameside turned out at the weekend to show their support for the men and women who serve in our armed forces.

The event, for Armed Forces day, began with a short parade - led by Adamson Military Band - which started at Denton Town Hall and ended at Victoria Park.

The parade was followed by a short service at the park's war memorial. And then there were a number of performances from the bandstand.

Among those marking Armed Forces Day at the event in Victoria Park, Denton, was Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds.

Mr Reynolds, who is Secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Armed Forces, said: "The men and women who serve in our armed forces make a significant commitment when they join up.

"They often make extraordinary sacrifices in order to serve our country and keep us safe. And at any time they could be asked to put their lives on the line to protect our national security.

"Armed Forces Day enables us all to show those who serve that we recognise the commitment they make and that we appreciate all that they do to keep us safe.

"It's important that there is a day - once a year - when the role of the armed forces is celebrated and honoured.

"And I was delighted to join with the people of Tameside to mark and celebrate the hard work and achievements of our armed forces."

The event in Victoria Park was one of many held across the country on Saturday to mark Armed Forces Day.

And as well as celebrating the achievements of the armed forces it was also a chance to remember those who had lost their lives in the service of their country.

Ed Miliband, leader of the Labour Party, said: "Armed Forces Day is an important opportunity for us all to recognise and pay thanks to the commitment, sacrifice and patriotism of our Armed Forces, past and present, in Afghanistan, Libya and all around the world.

"In particular my thoughts are with the fallen and those who have lost their loved ones in Afghanistan and through conflict elsewhere.

"We can never repay the immense sacrifice they have made, but we must ensure that we do everything we can to support them."